With Congress enacting six new tax laws in 2010, compared to only two in 2009, U.S. Taxpayers have never needed more help from their tax professionals then they do this tax season.

Clients are understandably confused by the profusion of tax law changes designed to stimulate the economy, improve access to health care, and incentive consumer and business behavior. For their part, tax professionals have never had a better year to demonstrate their value to clients, if they can get up to speed now on the rush of updates coming out of Washington, DC.

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New Medicare Tax Interestingly, one of the hottest questions for the 2010 season is about the Medicare tax change that takes effect in 2013. According to tax expert Vern Hoven, by far the most common question CPA's ask him about is how the new 3.8 percent Medicare tax will affect their clients.

The tax kicks in at an adjusted gross income of $250,000, and it applies to unearned income, which includes interest, dividends, royalties, annuities, rents, and most capital gains. Profit on the sale of a principal home above $250,000 for individuals or $500,000 for couples is also subject to tax.

"When clients come in during the upcoming tax season, they will want to know how to minimize and maximize income sources to avoid the tax. It's essential that CPA's and EA s be prepared to help with strategies," said Hoven. These strategies include maximizing income from tax-exempt municipal bonds, Roth IRA and retirement plan distributions, and the sale of business property, while minimizing passive income and non-business capital gains. Family limited partnerships will be part of the mix, Hoven added.

More Tax Breaks for Families Congress passed some tax relief measures especially for families in 2010. One change extended the adoption tax credit to more parents. Parents who adopt children this year may be entitled to the full adoption tax credit of $13,170. Those who owe less than $13,170 in federal tax won't have to defer part of the credit to the following year. "Those who owe no tax at all will also receive a check for the entire amount of the adoption credit," explained Hoven.

In another change that parents may not know about, Congress made deductible medical insurance premiums paid to qualified plans for adult children up to age 27. "The children do not have to be dependents-so that's hot," said Hoven.

Medical Insurances for Employees Small businesses receive a break on medical insurance too. The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act signed into law in March gives a tax credit on a sliding scale to small businesses that provide health insurance to employees. Under certain circumstances, a company that pays half the cost of an employee health plan can get as much as 35% of it back. It is estimated that 4 million small businesses could qualify for a tax credit under PPACA.

"This credit is effective already. I can't imagine being a CPA and not taking advantage of it right now," said Hoven.

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